HP TouchPad
| File:HP TouchPad.jpg HP TouchPad | |
| Developer | Hewlett-Packard |
|---|---|
| Type | Tablet Computer |
| Generation | First Generation Product |
| Release date | 1 July 2011 (US), 15 July 2011 (Canada, UK, France, and Germany) |
| Introductory price | US$499.99 (16GB), US$599.99 (32GB) |
| Operating system | HP webOS 3.0 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-CPU APQ8060 1.2 GHz |
| Memory | 1 GB DDr2 |
| Storage | 16 GB or 32 GB internal storage |
| Display | 9.7 in (25 cm) XGA capacitive, multitouch screen; 18-bit color, 1024 × 768 px display |
| Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno 220 |
| Sound | Internal stereo speakers and Beats Audio |
| Input | Touchscreen and resizable virtual keyboard |
| Camera | 1.3 MP HD front-facing camera |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 4G HSPA+ variants Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR |
| Power | Rechargeable 6300 mAh battery |
| Dimensions | 240 mm (9.4 in) (w) 190 mm (7.5 in) (h) 13.7 mm (0.54 in) (d) |
| Mass | 740 grams |
| Related | Apple iPad, BlackBerry PlayBook, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Tablet PC, webOS |
| Website | www.hpwebos.com |
The HP TouchPad is a tablet computer developed, and designed by Hewlett-Packard.[1] The TouchPad is aimed to be a primary contender to the Apple iPad 2, and the Android Tablets available. Because of the fact that the TouchPad runs HP webOS, it has the same card multitasking found in the Palm Pre 2, HP Veer, and HP Pre 3 including the revered "stack" feature.[2] The TouchPad also has an unobtrusive drop down notification system, which silently alerts you of any new email, alerts, or updates.
Due to webOS's open nature, Homebrew's Preware application lets the user modify most of the software's features.[3] The TouchPad has the second largest tablet app store with 400 tablet optimized applications at launch, and it is acclaimed to have the best quality apps available of any platforms. The TouchPad can also run most of the 6000+ apps available for the Pre phones in a small phone emulator. The TouchPad is the only tablet with a native FaceBook application. [4] The HP TouchPad was launched on July 1, 2011 in the US, and July 15 in Canada, UK, France, and Germany. The ATT 4G HSPA+ versions of the TouchPad is scheduled for release in the near future.
The HP TouchPad is one of many new tablets to optimized a multi-touch, capacitive touchscreen which works great with webOS. One of the many features that sets the TouchPad apart is "Touch to Share." This feature allows the Pre 3 and the Veer to share information such as websites by touching their sensors with the TouchPad's sensors. Unlike the iPad, the TouchPad is able to receive calls and text messages sent to any webOS powered phone. This is possible because both the TouchPad and the webOS phones use the same Palm Profile, allowing the webOS phones to forward any incoming messages on to the tablet.[5] One thing to note is that the TouchPads do not have a phone radio, thus they are unable to receive phone calls or texts by itself.
Largely due to the criticism that Palm received for their advertising of the Pre phones, HP has stepped up their advertisement strategy. This new strategy includes the endorsement of the HP TouchPad by the British comedian, and actor Russell Brand.[6]
Hardware
Screen and input
The HP TouchPad includes a 9.7 diagonal multitouch capacitive touch screen. The screen resolution is the same as the iPad's at 1024 by 768 pixels. Similar to most tablets on the market, the TouchPad utilizes a glossy display for deeper blacks, purer whites and richer colors. Certain people choose to use a stylus as their primary input method, which is why a capacitive stylus is available for separate purchase. Unlike other tablets with fixed virtual keyboards, the TouchPad opts for a more functional resizable keyboard. There are four sizes to pick from including Xtra-Small, Small, Medium and Large. The TouchPad is also the only tablet with a number row on top of the common QWERTY layout for an easier access.
The TouchPad retains it's simplicity and has only three separate physical buttons. It has the sleep/wake button on the top right for bringing the TouchPad in and out of sleep.. The TouchPad also has a home button at the very bottom of the front which launches the card view or the app launcher. This function can also be performed by swiping up from the bottom of the screen bezel. Finally, there is a set of volume rockers at the right of the device for adjusting system sounds or media volume. Similar to the iPad, users are able to hold the power button and the home button together to create a screen snapshot.
Connectivity
The Atheros chipset supports Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth. Although there is no phone radio on the TouchPad, the tablet can share URLs, phone calls, and text messages with webOS phones via Bluetooth pairing.[7]
Audio and output
The TouchPad has internal stereo speakers and Beats Audio.
Power and Battery
The TouchPad uses a rechargeable 6300 mAh battery, with optional wireless charging by Touchstone charger. On the Touchstone, the TouchPad enters a mode called Exhibition Mode.[citation needed] The battery life is estimated as 9 hours.[citation needed]
Cost of Materials
The TouchPad hardware was disassembled and reviewed. The HP TouchPad's Bill of Materials are stated at $318.15 with an assembly rate of $10.[8]
Optional accessories
- Touchstone
The Touchstone is a wireless charging dock. While charging with the Touchstone, the TouchPad can be set to an Exhibition mode, the user chosing whether to display photos in a digital photo frame, or show upcoming appointments. The Touchstone also enables wireless communication between a HP Pre3 and a TouchPad. Tapping on a specific region will transfer web links to the Pre. This technology is known as “Touch to Share”.
- Case
The protective case doubles as a stand for watching videos or typing, and does not need to be removed to charge the battery.[9]
- Keyboard
A wireless Bluetooth keyboard with a webOS function key next to the space bar is available.
Software
The TouchPad uses webOS 3.0, a card-based multitasking environment. Open applications can be arranged into "stacks." webOS unobtrusively notifies users of messages, emails, and calendar agenda items, appearing on the top right of the screen, rapidly reviewed by a swipe gesture. webOS 3.0 integrates Adobe Flash.
OS Features
- Video chat
The front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera allows video chat between compatible webOS devices. It is intended that Skype will be integrated. Other video calling apps may be available in the HP App Catalog.
- Just type
By typing on the main screen, the Touchpad searches contemporaneously across many sources, retrieving matching contacts, mails, web pages, and Twitter and FaceBook pages. The home screen can also direct post to social networking sites.
- Wireless printing
The TouchPad can print wirelessly to any new and most old HP printers. The wireless printing in the TouchPad is similar to Air Print on iOS 4, but does not require the printer to have specific software.
- Synergy
webOS Synergy can integrate accounts on Gmail, Yahoo!, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Microsoft Outlook (via Exchange ActiveSync). Calendars from multiple sources can be viewed together or one at a time. For messaging, Synergy combines all conversations with each contact into a single chat-style window.[10]
- Kindle
A webOS tablet optimized, preinstalled "Kindle for the TouchPad" directly accesses Amazon's ebook library.[11]
- Document editing
Document editing, other than via Google Docs and Box, will not be enabled at launch.[12]
- App catalog
PreCentral has lists of webOS apps in various categories.[13] A centralized compilation of webOS 3.0 specific apps has not been issued. HP began offering the webOS 3.0 SDK in late March.[14]
Advertising and product reviews
HP TouchPad received mixed reviews from media outlets on its marketing campaign and webOS developer push.[15] Some outlets said the tablet computer could be a viable competitor to Apple and Android tablets.[16] HP’s advertising campaign launched July 7, 2011, and features actor Russell Brand, Jay-Z, LeBron James, Miranda Cosgrove, Lea Michele and Manny Pacquaio. The ads showcase various features of the TouchPad such as the “Touch to Share" feature that permits the HP TouchPad tablet computer to dock and transfer data to the Veer mobile phone. For example, a TouchPad owner could download an online recipe simply by touching the tablet to the Veer phone and then use the Veer phone to find the ingredients while shopping at the supermarket.[17] All Things Digital says the launch of the TouchPad is HP’s first major attempt to get webOS to developers.[18]
References
- ^ http://h41112.www4.hp.com/promo/webos/us/en/tablet/touchpad.html. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ http://h41112.www4.hp.com/promo/webos/us/en/tablet/touchpad-webos.html. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^
{{cite web}}: Empty citation (help) - ^ http://www.precentral.net/hp-touchpad-will-be-first-device-launch-facebook-tablet-app-not-ipad. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ http://www.techopsguys.com/2011/07/02/hp-touchpad-first-thoughts-and-tips/. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^
{{cite web}}: Empty citation (help) - ^ HP http://www.palm.com/us/products/pads/touchpad/index.html. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Actual Cost of HP TouchPad. http://www.webosbuzz.com/content/186-cost-hp-touchpad-materials-318.html
- ^ "HP TouchPad". Palm, Inc. February 9, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
- ^ "Palm Unveils All-new webOS" (Press release). Palm, Inc. 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
- ^ "Engadget". Engadget. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ Dan Ramirez. webOSroundup. CONFIRMED: HP TouchPad Won’t Have Have Document Editing at Launch. 6/17/2011 http://www.webosroundup.com/2011/06/confirmed-hp-touchpad-wont-have-document-editing-at-launch/
- ^ WebOS App Gallery. PreCentral. http://www.precentral.net/app-gallery
- ^ Kevin McLaughlin. CRN. HP Opens WebOS App Catalog To TouchPad Developers. 20110602. http://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/229900067/hp-opens-webos-app-catalog-to-touchpad-developers.htm;jsessionid=+jA35ZR-hGjK7I9rNZ2XJw**.ecappj01
- ^ IDG/Computerworld: “HP to address TouchPad issues with software update.” July 6, 2011.
- ^ IDG/Computerworld: “HP TouchPad could emerge as viable iPad competitor.” Igam Shah. May 19, 2011.
- ^ NY Times: “Hewlett-Packard enlists young stars to sell TouchPad. July 7, 2011.
- ^ Wall Street Journal: “All Things Digital: What the TouchPad launch says about HP’s WebOS ambitions.” July 6, 2011.